---Things not to laminate: The reason why--- 1-Polaroids: depending on the type the tint will burn and melt, ruining the picture, often causes brown stains and other degradation. 2-Gloss print Photography (kodak photoprints): lamination melts onto surface so fast bubbles stay trapped, making unsmooth finish that looks really bad. 3-Heat activated paper or transfer paper: any thin paper like material is a potential warning sign that it is thermal paper, make sure you clarify source before trying, and if you do, possibly try least important, or a small section first. Paper that uses heat activated ink like receipts, certain types of chart or plotting paper for example for line graphs from heart monitors (EKG graphs), certain types of carbon/less form paper, and transfer paper one would use to iron prints onto clothing. It will either white out print, or blacken it as if burned as all the ink in the paper burns out or is activated. Tissue paper is included on this list, especially the colored type used in art projects or schoolwork, as its so thin it will either curl up or darken as if wet as the lamination melts and soaks it through. 4-Government/Identifications: Drivers licenses, Passports, Green Cards, Visa, State/Military issued identification card, Permanent Resident Alien Card, Certificate of U.S. Naturalization, Social Security card (original), Birth certificate (original), Fishing/Hunting/Firearm licenses. Laminating these (originals) is against office depot policy, and possible state or region policy as well (not verified). Laminating a copy however is fine, but only color copies if the client hand it to you or makes it at self serve, we do not make color copies of these documents. (voters cards may be exempt, depending on state, but in Florida we mostly get cheap paper ones and people often have those laminated. 5-Certain original official documents: Many official documents, such as degrees and diplomas, and birth certificates, have embossed security seals, stamps or other marks. One of the main reasons for this is to prove the authenticity of the document. Laminating effectively flattens out these seals, making it harder to prove that the document is genuine. Also unless an original check has been voided, do not laminate originals. 6-Items that might be used to later make photocopies: Laminated documents don’t photocopy very well, thanks to the reflective polythene texture of the laminating plastic. It often causes blown out whites, loss of detail and color, and artefacts from light reflecting off the plastic causing white blotches on copies. especially bad with photographs or prints if they already have glossy or metallic elements. 7-Removables: This is pretty self evident, heat laminations bond directly to the surface of the material, on both sides, some people think office depot does adhesive, static, or temporary laminations. NO; Heat Laminations are meant to be permanent. If you need something to be protected (this goes for everything listed); there are other ways to go about it that will not damage the item, and allow you to remove it if need be. 8-Non Flat/Artsy: anything than has been mounted on a non compressible surface like wood, plastic, or metal (foamboard, cardboard, cardstock and foam sheets are exceptions) will damage the rollers if it even goes through, and might possible jam. Of the exceptions, nothing thicker than half a centimeter is recommended. Not recommended to do anything with different height tolerances or raised items thicker than a few millimeters, like rhinestones, cheap theater jewelry, thick globs of glue, non dried glue or paints etc... At best this tents lamination material that wont flatten fully and looks god awful, at worst it breaks and squishes the items and damages your laminator or jams it. Anything with glitter that still has it falling off I recommend against, unless its a clean bound layer. If you get more than a very light dusting on you finger from rubbing it across the glitter, the customer need to apply a coat of clear glue over it and have it dry before you attempt to laminate. 9-Paintings: Certain types of artwork materials, like oil or oil based, certain pastels, wax based if heavy coats are applied (certain pastel like sticks that use colored wax, will obviously melt and run with heat), even acrylic will be damaged if laminated. The only type of artwork I would ever try are watercolor, charcoal/carbon based, colored pencil, crayon, or inked. See # 8, 7, 6 about why this might also not be recommended. 10-Usable Documents: Theme Park (Think Disney) passes, tickets, club cards, etc. anything that will be needed to be scanned, displayed, or used to grant access. Only if you will never use it again is this recommended, as many places will outright refuse access or entry from laminated items (as in most cases its most likely fake or has damaged the item to the point it cant be read or activated). This includes payment card as well. 11-Medical: absolutely do not laminate original xrays, mammograms, sonograms, or anything made on a plastic (usually black or deep blue) material with the image as a negative or transparent area. Try making a photocopy first. Laminating will turn it completely black. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ As In any case, use ARC 3 and feel the thing they want laminated to find out if A: its doable, and B: if its allowed. Hand out lamination waiver on anything that's not immediately evident as regular paper and actually ask them if they understand after signing and place it under counter (I've had people tear it up and say it means nothing and they want us to fix or pay damages for their ruined laminations even thou they were told it wasn't recommended). More on reddit.com

There are some stores (although not many) that have a 36" laminating machine. You would have to talk to your local stores to find out. More on reddit.com

I’d say 50/50. When it comes to print I always overly clarify with the customer on the specifics of finishing. The customer also knew what they were doing when they were asking for pricing and being vague. And your GM is spineless for honoring the price. I would of told the customer there was a misunderstanding on both parts and this is the correct pricing and then had a conversation in private with you that mistakes happen we’re all human and most times the customer is wrong. More on reddit.com

You can buy a small laminator for around $20 at Target. If you are going to be laminating a lot of things, it might be worth the investment for the long haul. I buy my laminating sheets off of amazon. More on reddit.com